Replies to This Discussion

So now I'm sixteen. I get you poking him for restricting the gender of this omnipotent legislator - but we still all really want to know what you would do if you were Empress for a day. Sorry for being a dick.

Pursuant to the above, three-quarters supermajority votes shall always be required to amend the United States Constitution or the Constitutions of the States. Supermajority votes shall never be required to pass any ordinary legislation in the United States Congress or in any State Legislature or on any State Ballot Initiative or Referendum."

Because the filibuster is stupid. I'd also love to see the line-item veto as an amendment, and the amendment suggested above that requires Congress to abide by its own laws would be great. And as long as we're fixing things, I see no reason at all why the people who live in the District of Columbia shouldn't be able to vote for Maryland senators, governors, and a congressperson who's district would include the Capital. Didn't we fight a war over taxation without representation? How is it OK for the people who live in the Capital to not have it? I don't believe for an instant that this would give Maryland's senators, governors, or representatives any undue power. After all, Wyoming gets two senators for just a half a million people. Wyoming would still have more power in the Senate per capita than Maryland.

The filibuster is stupid. And that's coming from a guy who thinks that the fewer laws that Congress passes, the better - as a general rule of thumb. However, if you are going to have representative democracy - then, g'dammit! let them represent. Can you imagine how often one vote in the Supreme Court totally frikkin' changes things almost forever? But we can't pass a law with 59%? WTF?

Actually Ronnie, any law that doesn't violate something prohibited by the Constitution is constitutionally allowed because of the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article 1, section 8, clause 18):

"The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof."

We have a Congress because laws need to change with the times and the Founders knew perfectly well that they couldn't anticipate the country's future needs. Congress has staff dedicated to reviewing the constitutionality of laws before they are passed. They don't always get it right, which is why we have the Judicial Branch. But basically, they already try to do what you are saying, and that's all that can be done, since there's basically no such thing as a logical proof of constitutionality.

Free basic healthcare for all as necessary for the safety and security of the populous: To be paid for via tax on unnecessarily unhealthy processed foods and recreational substances (most especially tobacco).

Assuming this is national, not state, then I'm thinking gay marriage and polygamous marriage.
Health care reform is vastly important, but I'm not entirely sure I have the expertise to do it the best way.
Naturally I would also like to reinforce the separation of church/state which should already be there. Particularly in our "public" schools.